MR MASSEY INTERVIEWED.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8440, 13 May 1907, Page 3

MR MASSEY INTERVIEWED.

* THE CHEVIOT MEETING. CONTRADICTORY REPORTS. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr W. F. Massey, arrived in Wellington from Lyttelton by one of the Union Company's boats on Friday morning, after a visit to Cheviot, where he addressed a meeting of settlers on the Land Bill. Two reports of the meeting have been published, i.e., one telegraphed by the Press Association, in which it was stated that a motion of favour of the optional tenure had been carried by a large majority, and the other published in the Lyttelton Times and the Christchurch Star, reflecting on the chairman's conduct of the meeting, and stating that the voting was about equal. When interviewed by a Post repoter Mr Massey said that he went to Cheviot on the invitation of the settlers themselves. Regarding the contradictory reports, he stated that at the conclusion of the meeting a resident of Cheviot moved: "That this meeting accords a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Massey for his statesmanlike address, and is of opinion that the optional system of tenure is the most satisfactory method' of settling the people upon the land." An amendment was then moved: in the following terms: "That this meeting thanks Mr Massey for his address,' and expresses its entire confidence in the present Government's liberal land policy." The chairman pointed out that this could hardly be accepted as an amendment, as it was evidently moved with the intention of preventing a vote being taken on the question whether "the optional system of tenure was the most satisfactory method of settling the people on the land." Some discussion, lasting about fifteen j minutes, took place on the point raised, and eventually the chairman said he would take the amendment as a separate motion after the first one had been disposed of. Mr Massey then suggested that the portion of the motion relating to "thanks" should be dropped. Finally this was put separately and was carried unanimously. The chairman- then called for a division on the question of the option in these words, "That this meeting is of opinion that the optional system of tenure fa the most satisfactory method of settling the people on the land." "A show of hands was asked for," said Mr Massey, "for and against, and the motion was carried by nearly two to one. The chairman duly declared the motion carried, and a good deal of noise followed. The ; gentleman who expressed his intention of moving a vote of confidence in the Government evidently saw that it would be unwise to do so, and the meeting closed with tho customary | vote to the chairman." i Questioned about the Taranaki election, Mr Massey said he did not , want to interfere with the contest in any way, because he was of opinion that the electors should be allowed to j choose the man best fitted to repre- ' sent them without an outside influence being brought to bear, but he noticed that a Minister was speaking in the electorate, at the present time, and it might be necessary to go on the platform to refute some of the statements made by him. "If I find things in that state," the Leader of the Opposition decisively stated, "I will have no hesitation in going to Taranaki." Mr Massey also referred to the peculiar complication which had arisen through Mr Dockrill's back down on the Land Bill. "While Mr Dockrill is the chosen and nominated candidate of the Government," he said, "we find him openly stating that on a straightout vote of want-of-confidence he would vote against the Government on the Land Bill—the only policy measure of the Government." In reply to another question Mr Massey stated that the members of the Reform League in the Taranaki electorate were working in the interests of Mr Okey's candidature.